Going to Afghan, advice needed.

[Cod_Almighty]

I'm due to go on tour to Afghan in Sept, so I need to get my camper in the garage for the winter, apart from letting the tyres down, what else that is cheap can I do to get it in. I need about 5cm.

Is it worth lowering it? I've even tempted to take the pop top off as it needs fixing anyway.

Any tips for leaving my camper in storage for 6 months?

Cod

 

[BigG]

Take the top off, good excuse to do those repairs :wink: .

 

[buddysbuddy]

Make your garage bigger?!?!?! :lol:

No real advice for storage just best wishes for your tour.

The work you guys do makes me feel somewhat humble.

thanks and all the best

J

 

[Guest]

Crack the windows a little so moisture doesnt build up, son of a gun on your rubbers inside and out to stop any running moisture getting neat bodywork, leave it in gear but the handbrake off as the rear drums can bind and be a pain in the ass when you come to move it again.

I wouldnt move it with the tyres down you could warp the steels/damage tyres.

Roof off or slam it would be the best way to fit it in the garage. or you could invest in a roller door, my bro did this and it cost him £150 fitted, he got 4 inches extra width and 5 inches height.

 

[Loxy]

Axle stands would be ideal as it takes the weight off all the bearings/tyres etc - but I guess the garage height wont allow this?
Some people use a spare set of rims with no tyres to get their vans in low garages, tricky if youve a steep drive but otherwise means your tyres dont get damaged & might give you another inch or so to play with.
Remove the battery.

 

[Tiki-Al]

remove the battery, you don't wanna come home to find acid has eaten through the bodywork :evil:

Have a successful tour dude.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Firstly, good luck with your tour - stay safe!

As for your garage fitting issues...
I'd go to your local (backstreet) tyre place with your van wheels - get them to take off your current tyres and put on whatever scrap very low profile tyres they've got lying around the place instead! It should only cost you a few quid as they won't need to be balanced and you'll still be able to drive and steer your van in and out of the garage!

Alternatively, take the poptop off!

 

[Clem]

I'd go to your local (backstreet) tyre place with your van wheels - get them to take off your current tyres and put on whatever scrap very low profile tyres they've got lying around the place instead! It should only cost you a few quid as they won't need to be balanced and you'll still be able to drive and steer your van in and out of the garage!

Its a good idea, but suspect most places wont touch it ..... liability is affecting even the independant places these days. Even for 'ok' tyres they want decent 'cash in hand' now cos the bosses have priced 'loose fits' so highly ......

 

[AxlFoley]

as above, I would say get a set of wheels with low rubber, or poor rubber just to get it in, you could even use smaller wheels if ther are any available

i have heard of people with static caravans leaving pots of salt in the vans over the winter, apparently they absorb the moisture, im not sure how good this would be, in a camper though, but you could see if you can get hold of the stuff they put in shoe boxes, just an idea!!!

 

[Araon]

decent sized bags of desicant are available. dont do the salt thing, water + salt + metal = lots of the brown stuff, you dont want to find that a little mouse has opted to use your van quite innocently as a home and knocked the salt or trapsed it all over the van....
go to your blanket stackers mate they always have plenty of desicant bags....

enjoy your tour (as much as you can), Crab, Pongo or matelo?

 

[Cod_Almighty]

I'm a Pongo, Thanks all for your advice, i think i'm going to keep the tyres i've got and let them down, and if that doesn't work i'm going to take the roof off as I need to replace the canvas and bits anyhow.

Thanks again

Cod

 

[sparkywig]

No advice on storage from me, just good luck on your tour mate.

 

[andewilson]

remove tyres and roll it in on bare steels. then axle stand it as low as you need.